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Career Pathways — Manufacturing
Page 6 Electronic Edition: www.teachingtodaymn.com

St Cloud State University
Technology, Engineering & Careers (TEC) Network

The TEC Network is all about build- America’s Cutting Edge (ACE) CNC TEC Network Program 3. Program development and review
ing partnerships with school and businesses 4. Advisory board support
around the state. The TEC Network has Training The TEC Network program continues 5. Program enhancement plan (district
recently received grants and contracts to St. Cloud State University – TEC Network to support Technology Education, CTE and will determine items needed) Examples
support CNC training, robotics teams and has been awarded a contract to provide free STEM programs around the state. Schools include:
youth apprenticeships across the state. There CNC training to students, teachers, and which are a part of the Technology Network
are 2 specific programs that will be partnering industry workers in outstate Minnesota. The will engage in: a. Youth apprenticeship plan
with schools and businesses: ACE Net (America’s Cutting Edge - https:// 1. Equipment access b. Career awareness /readiness
• DEED Grant for Robotics Teams and www.americascuttingedge.org/ ) is designed a. Nearly $2,000,000 worth of equip- c. Recruitment ideas / plan
STEM Internship Programs to allow people to gain the skills needed to ment d. STEM activities / curriculum
• America’s Cutting Edge (ACE) CNC answer America’s call for more machine tool b. Maintenance support for the equip- Technical Programs – Careers for
Training professionals with free online and in-person ment
training. Today and Tomorrow
DEED Grant for Robotics Teams and The first phase of training will be to c. Opportunity to purchase equipment Undergraduate Programs:
at demo rate
STEM Internship Programs train teachers who will then be able to bring d. New equipment added regularly to • Construction Management
This program will support 40 high school the training to their students. Equipment and meet changing needs of industry • Technology Education
supplies will be available to the schools at
robotics teams, comprising approximately no cost. As part of this program, SCSU TEC e. Equipment is scheduled for 3-4 • Manufacturing Engineering Technology
800 students, in Greater Minnesota through Network will provide training and have the weeks at a time throughout the year. • Environmental Studies & Science
direct team funding support, including access opportunity for delivery and use of a HAAS f. Concrete & Masonry tools, equip-
to practice fields and advanced equipment or Forest Scientific mill at your school. The ment, and demonstrations Graduate Programs:
through SCSU’s Technology, Engineering & second phase of the program will be a mobile • Technology Education
Career Network. The project also includes training center, including 2 mills, CNC trailers 2. Professional development: • Career and Technical Education (CTE)
career awareness workshops and events for and laptop computers to do training at schools a. Graduate courses • Work Based Learning
teams and students. The student internships and/or businesses. i. Credits for lane change
component of the program includes mentor- This is a 2-part training: ii. Graduate Certificates For additional information:
ship training and support for both the students iii. Master’s Degree in Technology Kurt Helgeson
and their company mentors. 1. 6–10 hours of online training Education krhelgeson@stcloudstate.edu
2. 32–40 hours of in person training at 320-308-3127
SCSU or in your area b. Summer workshops www.stcloudstate.edu/ets
If you are interested or would like more c. On-site support
information, complete the survey at: https:// d. CTE License
www.surveymonkey.com/r/ACE_edu e. WBL License

Saints Manufacturing Student Otter Tail County & Fergus Falls High

School Collaborate on Welding Project
Success Continued from Page 5
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support. We can always use help with machin- cial to my students? . . . I want to make sure
ing, help with fabrication and working with I’m doing what’s best for students from a schol- the tightly packed branches out of the larger
students.” arship perspective. . . . When COVID hit, not culvert. Before it is used this spring, a few
If Trost has any regrets about the program, only were we on the backburner, we fell off the minor adjustments will be made for smaller
it’s that he doesn’t have an exact number for stove at that point. We’re trying to figure out culverts. Overall, the Culvert Grapple Hook
how many students entered a trade they learned what that looks like moving ahead. Who do we was a success.
while in Saints Manufacturing. Former students need to get to the table to start having those con- “Working with the High School shows
are some of the industry members who come versations again?” the talent that will be in the workforce soon,
back to teach students how to use equipment or In the meantime, though, Trost and Saints shows students what types of positions are
provide valuable workplace insight. Manufacturing will continue to focus on offered in County employment, and what
Looking forward, Trost hopes the building well-rounded learners and workers, types of problems county workers solve every
program can give more back to the students. maintaining and growing partnerships with day,” remarked Inspector Palmersheim. “This
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Saints their local community and putting students project highlights our ability to tackle chal-
Manufacturing program was in talks with the ahead of the curve when they take their next lenges, thanks to the ingenuity and dedication
state legislature to get a bill passed that would steps outside of the program. of our local talent.”
allow program profits to go toward scholar- “When kids get done with Saints Manu- Students and employers are encouraged
ships for its graduating students. He was in facturing they have a leg up,” Trost said. “They to use the K12 Navigator to make connections
the room with leaders from the Department of can say they’re from Saints Manufacturing, and and partner on engaging career exploration
Education, Department of Labor and Industry people know what that means.” experiences. More information is available at
and Minnesota’s Govenor himself before sub- Article reprinted with permission of ABC News- the K-12 Navigator site. Otter Tail County also
sequent lockdowns derailed those plans. Trost papers. offers summer employment opportunities.
hasn’t lost focus on that opportunity.
“Within five years, the biggest thing I’d
like to see moving forward is that scholarship
program put in place,” Trost said. “How can www.isd15.org www.fergusotters.org
this become more advantageous, more benefi-